Shakers optimize pump rates, fluid recovery, and screen life | SLB

Shakers optimize pump rates, fluid recovery, and screen life

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Colorado, United States, North America, Onshore

A Colorado rig contractor used MONGOOSE Max™ high-capacity shaker and SCREEN PULSE™ fluid and cuttings separator to improve separation efficiency and maintain target pumping volumes while drilling four wells using the same 40 shaker screens.

A rig contractor in Colorado needed to maintain solids handling and fluid pumping volumes while drilling multiple sections in four wells; its existing single-deck shakers were unable to meet the demands of the operator’s ambitious drilling campaign. To support the operator’s high pumping and drilling rates, the contractor sought a high-performance replacement for its legacy separating equipment.

Graph showing 40 out of 40 shaker screens recovered while drilling four wells.
The driller used the SNAP-LOK plug screen-repair system to repair all damaged screens used during the four-well drilling campaign. By refurbishing all 40 screens instead of replacing them, the driller reduced screen consumption by 64% compared with conventional screens.

Using the new separating equipment, the operator successfully drilled four wells with multiple sections at an average pump rate of 800 galUS/min. By optimizing fluid recovery, the operator reduced disposal and drilling fluid costs while meeting the most stringent environmental standards.

What’s more, only 5 of the 40 DURAFLO™ composite screens showed any significant wear. SLB used the M-I SWACO SNAP-LOK™ plug screen-repair system to refurbish the screens within minutes—bringing all 40 screens back into service for the duration of the four-well drilling campaign. The durability of the shaker screens not only reduced trucking requirements, forklift moves, and equipment storage, it reduced screen consumption by approximately 64% compared with conventional screens.

"I was initially concerned that excessive screen wear may occur at higher deck angles while trying to keep up with our pump and drill rates. But I was pleasantly surprised with the results of the screen life and repairability. Not one screen had to be discarded."

John, Rig Manager

DURAFLO, MONGOOSE Max, SCREEN PULSE, and SNAP-LOK are marks of M-I L.L.C., an SLB company.

Products Used